High-Temperature Fuel Cell System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-temperature fuel cell system, consisting of a fuel cell stack ( 1 ) with a layering of several ceramic fuel cells ( 2 ) which in each case are separated from one another by way of interconnect layer ( 3 ). The interconnect layers comprise openings for cooling ( 4 ) or for the supply ( 5 a ) and removal ( 5 b ) of media to and from the fuel cells. The fuel cell stack may be set under mechanical compressive stress in the direction ( 6 ) of the layering. Elastic bead arrangements ( 7; 7′ ) for sealing the openings ( 4, 5 a , 5 b ) or the electrically active region ( 10 ) are provided at least in regions.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A high-temperature fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells;   an interconnect layer having passage openings and an electrically active area; and   at least one bead arrangement for sealing at least one of said passage openings and said electrically active area, said interconnect layer and said at least one bead arrangement being disposed between said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell.   
   
   
       16 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of fuel cells are formed from at least one of a ceramic and a metal-ceramic material. 
   
   
       17 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said passage openings selectively supply and remove a reaction media or a cooling media. 
   
   
       18 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said interconnect layer is in at least one of a mechanical communication and electrical communication with at least one of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell. 
   
   
       19 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said interconnect layer includes at least one of a metal mesh, an expanded sheet metal, and a metal felt disposed between said interconnect layer and at least one of said plurality of filet cells. 
   
   
       20 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement includes a coating for micro-sealing of a reaction media or a cooling media. 
   
   
       21 . The fuel cell system of  claim 20 , wherein said coating is at least one of a ceramic coating and a metallic coating. 
   
   
       22 . The fuel cell system of  claim 21 , wherein said coating includes screen printing, pad printing, stencil printing, roller deposition, powder coating, cured in place gasket process, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and galvanic process. 
   
   
       23 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement includes at least one full bead. 
   
   
       24 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement includes at least one half bead. 
   
   
       25 . The filet cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is formed from at least one metallic layer. 
   
   
       26 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement includes at least one stopper. 
   
   
       27 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is integral with said interconnect layer. 
   
   
       28 . The filet cell system of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is integral with said interconnect layer with no additional sealing surface on account of extra components. 
   
   
       29 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is secured to said interconnect layer. 
   
   
       30 . The filet cell system of  claim 29 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is secured to said interconnect layer by at least one connection process including soldering, snapping-in, welding, soldering-in, and peripheral casting. 
   
   
       31 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is disposed at least around a periphery of said electrically active area. 
   
   
       32 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement includes a ceramic bead. 
   
   
       33 . The fuel cell system of  claim 32 , wherein said ceramic bead is located in the embossing of said at least one bead arrangement. 
   
   
       34 . A high-temperature fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel cell stack having a plurality of high-temperature fuel cells;   an interconnect layer having passage openings and an electrically active area, said interconnect layer being disposed between a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell;   at least one bead arrangement for sealing at least one of said passage openings and said electrically active area, said at least one bead arrangement being disposed between said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said at least one bead arrangement being formed from at least one metallic material; and   whereby said at least one bead arrangement is in mechanical communication with said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said at least one bead arrangement includes at least one bead being in the form of a full bead or a half bead, said bead arrangement being disposed proximate a periphery of at least one of said passage openings and said electrically active area.   
   
   
       35 . The fuel cell system of  claim 34 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement provides sealing for said passage openings. 
   
   
       36 . The fuel cell system of  claim 34 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement provides sealing for said electrically active area. 
   
   
       37 . The fuel cell system of  claim 34 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement includes a coating for micro-sealing of a reaction media or a cooling media. 
   
   
       38 . A method of manufacturing a high-temperature fuel cell system comprising:
 assembling a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells;   providing an interconnect layer having passage openings and an electrically active area, said interconnect layer being disposed between a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell of said plurality of fuel cells, said interconnect layer having at least one bead arrangement for sealing at least one of said passage openings and said electrically active area, said at least one bead arrangement being disposed between said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell; and   forming at least one bead in the form of a full bead or a half bead disposed proximate a periphery of at least one of said passage openings and said electrically active area.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising placing a coating on at least a portion of said at least one bead arrangement. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said placing said coating includes screen printing, pad printing, stencil printing, roller deposition, powder coating, cured in place gasket process, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and galvanic process. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is integral with said interconnect layer. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is integral with said interconnect layer by a manufacturing step of the interconnect layer that takes place in any case. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said at least one bead arrangement is secured to said interconnect layer by at least one connection process including soldering, snapping-in, welding, soldering-in, and peripheral casting.